Conceptualizing Australia’s Maritime Strategy and Shaping a Government Approach

04/24/2024 By Robbin Laird I followed up with Jennifer Parker on April 19, 2024 with regard to her presentation on how to conceptualize Australian maritime strategic interests and strategy. We focused on how she conceptualized the strategy and the needed approach as much wider than a focus on ADF capabilities. We discussed the need for reforming the Australian Defense Force's structure… Read more »

French Defence Exports: An April 2024 Update

04/23/2024 By Pierre Tran Paris - Sales and orders of the defense sector of the French aeronautics and space industry fell in 2023 compared to the previous year, while overall sales rose nine percent to €70.2 billion ($75 billion), the chair of the GIFAS trade association told a news conference April 23. The defense market showed “a small decline,” with 2023… Read more »

Air Power in Australia’s Maritime Strategy

04/21/2024 By Robbin Laird This was the title of the presentation by Chris McInnes, a noted Australian airpower and defence analyst, to the April 11, 2024 Williams Foundation Seminar. He provided an overview of how airpower made unique contributions to Australian defence by providing rapid strike options throughout the Australian areas of interest. McInnes highlighted air power’s ability to provide rapid… Read more »

What does a 21st century defence strategy look like for Australia in a multi-polar authoritarian world?

04/16/2024 The answer is that it does not look like the defence strategy which has been followed throughout most of the post-war period. The threat envelope is quite different. There is no American and Western managed rules-based order dominating the world. There are diverse authoritarian movements and states which follow their distinct interests but play off of one another. As one… Read more »

The Future is Now for the ADF: Shaping Space for Maritime Autonomous Systems

04/15/2024 During my current visit to Australia, both at the 11 April Williams Foundation Seminar and in my interviews and discussions, there is a clear concern for ramping up ADF capabilities now. In addition to any longer term additive capabilities, it is crucial in the evolving strategic context to find ways to enhance the ADF in the near to mid-term. This… Read more »

Multi-Domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy: The April 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation Seminar

04/13/2024 By Robbin Laird The first of two seminars of the Sir Richard Williams Foundation in 2024 was held on 11 April 2024 at the National Gallery of Australia. The seminar was entitled, "The Multi-Domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy", and the aim of the seminar was identified as follows: “To examine the enduring and emerging multi-domain requirements of an… Read more »